CUBAN TRANSITIONS

Prior to our trip to Cuba, we learned and were warned about the presence of jineteros on the island.  These Cubans were reportedly found in tourist areas offering various services, ranging from directions to the nearest bar to sexual favors, or simply asking for handouts.  Upon arriving in Cuba, I did indeed see many examples […]

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In many ways, Cuba would seem to be a prime location for the international illicit narcotics trade.  Situated between Latin America and the United States, Cuba could serve as a an important crossroads for traffickers, and the flourishing tourist economy based in part on an image of tropical hedonism could provide an ideal market for […]

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The National Cuban ballet, located in central Havana, is host to some of the most skilled classical dancers in Cuba and also the world. It was founded by the famous ballet dancer Alicia Alfonso and her husband in 1948 with the hopes of  spreading classical training in dance to young aspiring artists. The company has […]

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What is public space? How does it differ from a tourist attraction? Is there a difference between spaces that happens to be public and spaces made to be public? Town squares and parks stretch across the United States as places for people – both locals and visitors – to congregate, socialize, and relax. But these […]

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The Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as the noni in Cuba and Hawaii, the dog dumpling in Barbados, and the fromagier in France (a letter away from ‘fromager’, which is ‘cheese-maker’), is a very special kind of fruit. Cubans call it the miracle fruit, and it has a long history of uses as a traditional medicine. […]

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One of the foods I was most eager to try in Cuba was their empanadas. I so far have never met an empanada I haven’t liked. To be fair, I haven’t had that many. Most of my empanada experiences have been from Twisted Soul (which are of the Argentine variety), and from my Cuban aunt […]

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Our hotel in Havana, the Plaza Hotel, was an impressive introduction to Cuba. Although we first arrived in the wee hours of the morning, tired as can be, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the hotel and the graciousness of the staff (serving us drinks, fruit, and sandwiches at that hour!). […]

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During the long hours of waiting at the Miami airport, on our way to Cuba, I discovered something about myself: I hate waiting. I was making my more patient friends anxious with my own restlessness.  One thing though that helped break the monotony was the appearance of a giant Rottweiler in line to be checked […]

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In early August of 2006, when it was announced that Fidel Castro was ill and he would be temporarily ceding power in Cuba to his brother Raul, celebrations erupted in Miami as the exile community awaited the “death of the dictator” and the inevitable collapse of his regime. Lisandro Perez, Cuban scholar from Florida International […]

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My dad is a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain and his show, “No Reservations”. When he had found out I was going to Cuba this semester, his first reaction was to recommend Bourdain’s episode in Cuba. He also reminded me that Bourdain attended Vassar for two years until he transferred to the Culinary Institute of […]

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